a mistake on my part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a mistake on my part' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate responsibility for an error or wrongdoing. For example: "I apologize for not meeting the deadline - it was a mistake on my part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

GEN. RUDENKO: Alexandrov was a mistake on my part.

Yale University

"Might have been a mistake on my part," Francona said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was a mistake on my part," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The penalty and the red card were a mistake on my part.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a mistake on my part, but it worked out".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a mistake on my part, and I sincerely apologize".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Not carrying around a written list of the numbers I'd dialled was clearly a bad mistake on my part, but full marks to O2 for using the Data Protection Act to put my personal data at risk.

The Guardian - Tech

In a statement dated September 2007, Ireland said his false death claims were a "massive mistake on my part" offered his "profound apologies" to his family and the FAI.

BBC

That was a mental mistake on my part".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a major mistake on my part.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a huge mistake on my part".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When admitting "a mistake on my part", be specific about the error and its consequences to demonstrate sincerity and accountability. Provide a brief explanation without making excuses.

Common error

Avoid excessive apologies or self-deprecation after stating "a mistake on my part". A sincere acknowledgement is sufficient; dwelling on it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mistake on my part" functions as an acknowledgement of error or fault. It's a statement where the speaker admits responsibility for something that went wrong. As seen in Ludwig, this is a widely used expression to convey accountability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

Sports

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Vice

5%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mistake on my part" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to acknowledge personal responsibility for an error. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Sports contexts, it serves to convey regret and a willingness to take ownership of a fault. While direct and professional, its usage should be tempered with sincerity and followed by corrective action, rather than excessive apology. Alternatives include "my error" or "my fault", offering varying degrees of formality. Remember to be specific and avoid over-apologizing when using the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My error

More concise; omits the prepositional phrase.

My fault

Directly assigns blame to the speaker.

My blunder

Emphasizes the clumsiness or lack of care in the mistake.

I was wrong

A straightforward admission of incorrectness.

I erred

More formal and concise way of admitting a mistake.

It was my oversight

Suggests the mistake was due to a failure to notice something.

I take responsibility

Highlights acceptance of the consequences.

I messed up

Informal way to indicate a mistake.

I dropped the ball

Idiomatic; implies failure to fulfill a responsibility.

The fault lies with me

Formal and emphatic assignment of blame.

FAQs

How can I use "a mistake on my part" in a sentence?

You can use "a mistake on my part" to take responsibility for an error. For example, "Not double-checking the figures was "a mistake on my part", and I apologize for the incorrect report."

What's a more formal alternative to "a mistake on my part"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "I take responsibility" or "the fault lies with me", which convey a similar meaning with increased gravitas.

Is it always necessary to explain the reason behind "a mistake on my part"?

While explaining the reason is not always required, briefly stating the cause can show you understand the error and are taking steps to prevent it in the future. However, avoid making excuses.

Which is better: "a mistake on my part" or "my mistake"?

Both phrases are acceptable. "My mistake" is shorter and more direct, while "a mistake on my part" is slightly more formal and emphasizes personal responsibility.